GCC Press Review 1 Feb 2021

Front Page Headlines

Politis

‘Golden’ Passports: Huge incomes and pay-offs under Parliament’s microscope

The Finance minister and and Tax commissioner will be called before the House Watchdog Committee in view of the massive amounts of millions of euros that were distributed among certain law and audit firms through the issuing of ‘golden’ passports. They will be called to inform MPs on the firms they audited, on the tax claims of those involved in the passorts ‘industry’, but also on the amounts imposed on them as taxes. The Interior minister Nicos Nouris is persistently refusing to hand over to Parliament the updated list of applications for citizenships by exception submitted by the end of 2020, even after the nixing of the CIP (Citizenship-by-Investment Programme).

  • The President going before the Investigative (Committee) tomorrow: Exposed to conflicts of interest
  • Positivity rate falls to 0.37%: Rapid tests open the way for de-escalation
  • Unexpected rainstorm: It caught us in our… sleep

Phileleftheros

Puts an end to ‘two states

A letter from Charles Michel to Anastasiades clarifies the EU’s position ahead of talks. Messages from Moscow too.

  • Two-day seminar from Cavusoglu
  • Incentives for reduction of rents before Parliament
  • With improved epidemiological picture: Exit from quarantine begins
  • State coffers to be fortified
  • Agenda 2030: The 17 goals for sustainable development
  • The weather… wreaked havoc: Scene of biblical catastrophe

Haravgi

Reference to BBF a ‘red flag’ for Turkey

Frontal attack on UNSC by the Turkish Foreign Ministry. Turkish diplomacy failed to ‘erase’ the BBF. Cavusoglu coordinating with T/C leadership.

  • Bicommunal Commitee on Health continuing its work harmoniously
  • Letter on lawsuits against T/C journalists
  • Kalin: Exploratory talks with Greece an important step for Euro-Turkish relations
  • First breath from the lockdown
  • It wasn’t… a demon. Eight Beaufort ‘lifted’ Cyprus

Alithia

Turkey angered by Security Council resolution

The EU puts an end to scenarios of a two-state solution. Recognition of pseudo-state out of the question. Schinas: Those who speak of a two-state solution have not asked the EU. Today in the occupied areas Cavusoglu will set positions for the five-party.

  • Exit from lockdown: The first relaxation of restriction measures today
  • Act of God: Wind wreaks havoc

Main News

Turkey says Cyprob solution up to two sides, not UNSC

Alithia, Haravgi, Phileleftheros, Politis
Negotiations Process

OVERVIEW

An official statement by the Turkish Foreign Ministry refers to the UN Security Council (UNSC) resolution on UNFICYP as unacceptable in its persistence on calling for a bizonal bicommunal federation (BBF), which it sees as pre-determining the solution which should instead be agreed upon between the two sides.

Phileleftheros reports that on Saturday, the Turkish Cypriot leader Ersin Tatar pointed to what he saw as contradictions between the UNSC resolution and the UN Secretary General’s (UNSG) reports, as the former specifically calls for a BBF while the latter recognises that the two sides hold different positions and points to the informal summit as the arena where it will be assessed whether common ground can be found in view of launching formal negotiations.

The dailies report that the Turkish Foreign Ministry stated that it is in full support of the north’s negative response to the UNSC resolution, with the ministry noting that the UN failed to request the north’s input regarding UNFICYP’s presence on the island.

The dailies also report that Turkish Foreign Minister Melvut Cavusoglu is set to arrive in the north on Monday for two days of talks during which the direction that Turkey and Tatar will follow at the informal summit will be clarified.


Michel backs Anastasiades on Varosha & solution basis

Phileleftheros
Negotiations Process

OVERVIEW

Phileleftheros reports on a letter sent to President Anastasiades by European Council President Charles Michel dated January 20, 2021, in which Michel clarifies that the EU will not accept a solution outside of the relevant UN Security Council (UNSC) resolutions.

In a letter similar to that sent to Foreign Minister Nicos Christodoulides by EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell which was revealed on Sunday, Michel writes to Anastasiades that the EU shares the Republic’s “serious concerns” over developments in Varosha.

Michel states that “the EU and its Member States stand by Cyprus and have expressed unwavering solidarity and support”, as evident through the European Council’s December 10-11 condemnation of Turkey’s unilateral steps in Varosha and its call for full respect of UN Security Council (UNSC) resolutions 550 and 789.

Michel said the “the EU position on Varosha is firm and clear” and that it is “making these points with Ankara”. He added that “just as the UN, the EU continues to hold the Government of Turkey responsible for the status quo in Varosha.”

Michel also reiterated the EU’s commitment to a rapid resumption of talks under the UN and to the securing of a solution in line with UNSC resolutions and EU principles, noting that “we expect the same from Turkey”. Michel also reiterated that the “EU stands ready to play an active role in supporting the negotiations.”

He concluded saying: “A stable and secure environment in the Eastern Mediterranean and the development of cooperative and mutually beneficial relationships amongst all partners in the region, bilaterally and multilaterally, is in the EU’s strategic interest.”

KEY ACTORS
Michel (EU)

>> EU holds Turkey responsible for Varosha, condemns unilateral steps there.
>> Expects Turkey to participate in negotiations on the basis of relevant UNSC resolutions and EU principles.
>> EU ready to play active role in supporting negotiations.
>> Cooperation in East Med region in EU’s strategic interest.


Russia expresses unwavering support for UNSC resolutions and BBF

Alithia, Phileleftheros
Negotiations Process

OVERVIEW

Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Alexander Groushko said Russia’s position on the Cyprus Problem remains consistently in support of UN Security Council (UNSC) resolutions and the prescribed solution on the basis of a bizonal bicommunal federation (BBF), the dailies report.

Following meetings held with the Greek Foreign Ministry on January 28-29, Groushko said that despite increasing talk from various countries regarding the necessity for different solution models such as two states or a loose federation, Russia’s position in favour of a BBF remains unaltered.

Groushko also said that current military guarantees must be replaced by the guarantees of the UNSC, and stated that Russia has a vested interest in ensuring that the Eastern Mediterranean remains a field of cooperation rather than of conflict, as the latter would directly threaten the security of Russia.

KEY ACTORS
Groushko (Russia)

>> Russia’s support for UNSC resolutions & BBF as a basis for solution remains unaltered.
>> Current military guarantees must be replaced by UNSC guarantees.


Technical Health Committee functioning harmoniously, GC co-chair says

Haravgi
CBMs

OVERVIEW

The Bicommunal Technical Committee on Health is functioning “harmoniously and with excellent communication,” its GC co-chair Leonidas Phylactou told Haravgi.

Asked to comment on a statement issued by the spokesperson of the Turkish Cypriot leadership Berna Celik Dogruyol, who referred to the Committee as bi-party rather than bicommunal, Phylactou said the Committee has always been one and there have never been issues which could provide evidence to the contrary.

Phylactou referred to the cooperation and coordination efforts undertaken by the Committee in view of the coronavirus pandemic and recalled the numerous issues that the Committee has worked on over the years.

Phylactou said that so far, the north has received 2,250 doses of the Pfizer vaccine through deliveries from the Republic.


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